Business owners recruited for depression study

Tasmanian researchers are investigating the effect of depression on small and medium business owners.

The University of Tasmania has teamed up with the Chamber of Commerce to recruit hundreds of business owners for the study.

The University's Doctor Angela Martin says working long hours and dealing with financial stress pose significant risks to mental health.

"Mental ill health can have a very significant impact on a business," she said.

"It can impact on things like absenteeism and productivity and it can also impact on the sorts of relationships that people have.

"People will be asked to fill in a survey and then they will receive the DVD and resource kit and in those materials there's a lot of information about coping with stress, how to recognise depression and anxiety and even substance abuse and it will provide some practical solutions with how to deal with these issues."